Design for a Stage Set at the Opéra, Paris 1830 - 1890

This is a pencil drawing by Eugène Cicéri, a noted French set designer, and a design for a stage set at the Opéra in Paris, created sometime between 1830 and 1890. The drawing depicts a portion of a building facade, with an archway in the foreground and an ornate ceiling visible in the background. The drawing's loose, sketchy lines, reminiscent of architectural drawings, suggest a sense of spontaneity and the quick capture of a scene. Cicéri's work is notable for its realism and attention to detail, exemplified by the intricate details of the building's design and the lush foliage of the surrounding trees. This drawing, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, provides a glimpse into the world of 19th-century theatrical design and the imaginative visions of Eugène Cicéri.